Demolition of the building began in November, meaning that it took Apple approximately eight months to physically build the store. That's less than half the 19 months it took for Apple to get design approval for the new building.

During this protracted review process, the Old Georgetown Board -- the federal body that needed to approve the design -- received heaps of criticism for letting historical preservation stand in the way of retail progress. Now that the building is nearly completed, final judgments can be made.

Some will scoff at the building's bland faux-historicism. Others will think it fits right in. But most simply won't notice the building's architecture at all and will instead home in on the toys inside. And from the Old Georgetown Board's perspective, that may count as mission accomplished.